Addressing India's Healthcare Worker Shortage: Evaluating Strategies to Improve Medical Education and Retention

Abstract

India faces a severe shortage of healthcare workers, especially doctors, despite having the largest number of medical colleges globally. This shortage is driven by issues in medical education and doctor retention. This research evaluates India's medical education system and retention challenges to propose evidence-based strategies to strengthen the medical workforce. Analysis shows India's 595 medical colleges have adequate capacity, but the quality of education remains concerning. Over 20% of students fail initial exams due to dated curricula, lack of practical training, and poor instruction. Additionally, overworked students at public colleges get insufficient hands-on experience. Private colleges are better funded but lack accountability. The resulting poor skills and disillusionment make many consider alternate careers or emigrate. Estimates suggest over 5,000 doctors emigrated from 2015-2017. Job dissatisfaction from limited career growth, low pay and excessive workloads also drive doctors abroad or into India's urban private hospitals. This exacerbates shortages in rural areas with just one doctor per 10,000 people. Various government strategies to improve retention like compulsory rural service have failed. A multipronged approach is required focused on reforming medical education and improving doctor employment conditions. Recommendations include modernizing curricula, integrating technology, facilitating practical learning via rural postings, strengthening faculty, and accreditation processes. A national medical licensing exam could also standardize competencies. To improve retention, policy changes to increase rural public health spending, provide better pay, infrastructure and career growth opportunities are proposed. Compulsory rural bonds may also help but require reforms for effectiveness. India must take concerted steps to reform medical education and retention policies to nurture the qualified, motivated doctors needed to transform healthcare access and quality. This comprehensive analysis provides an evidence base for policymakers to strengthen the medical workforce and achieve universal healthcare.